No Survivors in Crash of Japan Rescue Helicopter

All nine people aboard a rescue helicopter that crashed in snow-covered mountains in central Japan have been pronounced dead. The Fire and Disaster Management Agency said in a statement that the nine men—seven firefighters, an engineer, and the pilot—were aboard a rescue helicopter that crashed during a training flight Sunday, the AP reports. The helicopter, belonging to Nagano prefecture's rescue unit, crashed on the side of Mount Hachibuse, 150 miles northwest of Tokyo. TV footage showed the mangled Bell 420EP aircraft buried in deep snow, sitting belly-up with its broken pieces scattered around. The cause of the crash is under investigation. (More helicopter crash stories.)